TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2023 – A rapid assistance mission with 53 medical personnel and search and rescue specialists from Albania has flown to Turkey to help in search and rescue operations following the devastating earthquake in Turkey’s southeast region on Monday.
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked wide parts of Turkey and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people, with hundreds more believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The epicenter of the pre-dawn earthquake was near Gaziantep, close to the Turkey-Syria border, and it was followed by a separate magnitude 7.5 earthquake about 100 kilometers north in the early afternoon.
Turkey has called for international assistance, and Albania quickly responded with specialist personnel from military and civil defense bodies.
Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi escorted the team to the airport, telling them to help save lives, return safely and remember the assistance provided to Albania in its hour of need.
Albania still has fresh memories of its own deadly Nov. 26, 2019, in which Turkish assistance was considerable both immediately after the earthquake and in reconstruction efforts.
“Turkey is a very important friendly country for us, which has continuously supported us. So in a way this is giving back. But even if a disaster happens to another country, our little Albania will show that it is always ready to make its capacities available, because in an emergency or solidarity we are already part of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, where we are not only to receive, but also to give,” Peleshi said.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had earlier announced the mission.
“Deeply saddened about this morning’s news on the devastating earthquake hitting parts of Türkiye and Syria. Our deepest condolences to the many families that lost lives and wishing a fast recovery of the injured. A rescue mission of solidarity will depart today for Türkiye,” Rama wrote on Twitter.
The European Union said it mobilized rescue teams to the region, with crews from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones and the brave first responders working to save lives,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said in a joint statement.
Kosovo’s government also announced it was sending specialists to assist in the search and rescue efforts.
